Welcome to the VertMarkets Energy Training Network

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Electric Energy:

Capacitor Applications (2 hours)
This 2 hour online course reviews the application issues involved in installing and operating capacitors on an electric power distribution system. Capacitor theory, design, and application are discussed in detail. Methods to calculate the appropriate capacitor size for a given situation are presented. The application of capacitors to increase system voltage and to lower system losses is also presented, as well as a discussion of the harmonic effects of capacitor banks.

Electric Motors (3 hours)
This three hour online course is about electric induction motors. It covers how a motor works, the types of electric motors available, and how to apply an electric induction motor. The course looks at the relationship between motor speed, slip, and torque, and covers how to select a motor with the correct parameters for a particular load. Finally, all of the basic data on a motor nameplate is reviewed and explained.

Electric Motors & Generators: Basic Magnetics (1 hour)
This 1-hour online course provides the basis for understanding how motors and generators work from an intuitive (as opposed to a mathematical) standpoint.

Electric Power - National Security & Economic Welfare (1 hour)
This one hour online course deals with existing procedures for setting electric power policy and its failure to consider the long-term national interests. The impact of these procedures on the cost and reliability of electric power in the USA is reviewed. The reasons for these failures are explored. Recent decisions by the FERC and DOE are reviewed based on our national problems resulting from the terrorism of September 11, 2001.

Electric Power Course 1: Really Basic Stuff About Electricity (1 hour)
This 1-hour online course covers the history of the development of electric power systems in the United States and their growth, contributions of key people, and the technological changes that have occurred over time. Emphasis is placed in providing an understanding of electricity and what it is, the reason our systems are three phase, AC and DC circuits, and why power flows.

Electric Power Course 2: Grids, Control Areas & VARs (1 hour)
This 1-hour online course discusses the regional grids, what is a grid, and interconnections. The use of the grid for power transfers including its operation and control is reviewed. The importance of Kirchhoff's Law, the flow of power on parallel paths, and reactive power are discussed. The newly emerging power exchanges, ISOs, and RTOs are reviewed.

Electric Power Course 3: Transfers & the New Structure of the Industry (1 hour)
This 1-hour online course covers electric power transmission, how the systems work, and how power can be transferred. Reliability criteria and the contingencies that must be provided for are reviewed. Ways of identifying the uses of the transmission system are discussed. The deregulation and new industry structure is also reviewed.

Electrical Conductor Sizing (2 hours)
This 2- hour online course covers the conductor sizing recommendations of several documents that cover several different applications. Wire size units and wire resistance calculations are also covered. Several examples are given.

Electrical Equipment: Specifying the 3-Phase Substation Transformer (5 hours)
In this 5-hour online course, you are assigned to write a transformer specification to present to bidders on a particular project. This course is written for the engineer who needs to write a technical specification for a 3-phase, substation transformer, Request for Proposal (RFP).

Electrical Protection Grounding (2 hours)
This two hour online course examines the methods used to provide grounding protection for both people and equipment. The purpose of protection grounding, National Electric Code requirements, and the various factors that affect electrical grounding are discussed. Design calculations are presented for single rod grounding systems, linear grounding systems, and rectangular grid grounding systems.

Electrical Systems (1 hour)
This one hour online course is a brief review of electrical systems and their design. It covers circuits, receptacles, lighting, switches, conductors, conduit sizing and other related topics. This course also reviews useful terminology.

Overview of Electric Power Systems (1 hour)
This one hour online course explains how the various utility components make up the overall power grid as well as a working knowledge of the electric utility industry.

Power Plant Electrical Distribution Systems (1 hour)
This 1-hour online course provides an introduction to the design of electrical distribution systems found in electrical power generation plants.

Voltage Regulator Application (1 hour)
This one hour online course discusses the basics of regulator application on an electric distribution system.

Gas Energy:

Brayton Cycle (Gas Turbine) Analysis (1 hour)
In this 1-hour online course, the open, simple Brayton Cycle used for stationary power generation is considered. The Brayton Cycle thermal efficiency is also presented (but only for the air as the working fluid) and the thermal efficiency derivation is presented with a simple mathematical approach.

Fuel Cell Power Systems (2 hours)
This two hour online course is a review of the current technology for using fuel cells to generate electricity. Fuel cells are a promising fuel source for many applications ranging from large generating plants, to small home power sources, to portable power sources. Fuel cells use hydrogen as the fuel source and they generate electricity in an environmentally clean, quite, and safe manner.

Gas Turbine Performance Enhancements (1 hour)
This 1-hour online course identifies and describes several methods of enhancing the performance of gas turbines (also known as combustion turbines, or GTGs). By enhancing the performance, we mean increasing power output and /or improving the efficiency. The enhancements are described in terms of the hardware that can be included in the design or added as retrofits. Derivations of formulas are avoided, and while the bases of the enhancements are explained, this course does not delve very deeply into thermodynamics.

Understanding Subsurface Utility Engineering (4 hours)
This four-hour online course discusses existing utility locations on design/construction projects.

Nuclear Energy:

General Nuclear Worker Radiation Training (1 hour)
This 1-hour online course gives the student an understanding of the basic radiological knowledge requirements for nuclear plant workers who must work in areas where they may be exposed to ionizing radiation.

General Nuclear Worker Training (1 hour)
This 1-hour online course provides a general overview of the job knowledge requirements for a worker at a nuclear power plant.

Introduction to Photovoltaics (2 hours)
The information in this two-hour online course was taken from DOE materials and is a brief introduction to the process of turning light energy into electricity. This course also includes the history of photovoltaics, as well as examples of PV systems in practical use.

Nuclear Plant Security Systems (1 hour)
This 1-hour online course introduces the student to the design of security systems for commercial nuclear power plants.

Alternative Energy:

Renewable Energy Generation (1 hour)
This course is a brief overview of the various types of environmentally friendly, renewable energy available today.

Thermodynamics of Cogeneration (2 hours)
This 2 hour online course explores the thermodynamic aspects of cogeneration (generation of electric power and utilizing the waste heat for thermal energy needs).